Craig Cornish's Blog

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Life is an infinite continuum, feeding on its own death. Our mortality, real and imagined, lives within. We can always see these truths with a discerning eye. The mirrored images that seem like two, are but one, a parallel universe whose paths cross like a wisp of wind, we are all of one time, like prose and poems written in separate centuries, but of the same struggle. There, always there, truth never hides, except for those who don’t seek it for fear of what they might find. From light to dark we fly in different directions though toward the same destination. What matters is what we do on our flight. Do we see the paths of leaves as they float on the pond, the reflection of the sky beyond, and the trees, who have now shed their leaves but will reflect full in the spring; beneath the leaves, the roots of the lily pads and the stare of a wary carp who looks from his world as we do from ours? We must find time on our journey to read, play a game, or simply sit and wonder at the marvels around us, for death will come in its own time…

Helping, Commenting and Actually Reading for the Form

Blog Posted:8/16/2013 4:53:00 PM

I don't comment enough and write less because it is summer and, damn it, I'm going to enjoy it while it's here cuz it'll be gone soon, but that's not my purpose for this blog. Should you tell someone if their dress or tux is perfect but they've got a booger in their nose or a piece of food stuck in their smile or whatever--I say yes. I've done it with a bank president my wife worked for, a bride I did not know, and others. Funny (Ithink) story for ya. Many years ago before I (we) bought our first home, prior to meeting with the real estate agent I went to a self serve gas station and in the process checked my oil and when I leaned to check it my tie fell into the engine compartment so I grabbed it and pulled around so it was going down my back. I left and went directly to the real estate office and spent an hour there with the agent trying to sound intelligent--shook hands, turned and walked to my car and drove home to our apartment for lunch. After lunch I went to brush my teeth and looked in the mirror to see that my tie had been hanging down my back the whole time and no one had said a word. I thought about how much of an idiot they must think of me, and not how sensitive they were not to mention it but how insensitive they were not to. In our clamor to please and not offend we too often exclude something they may appreciate more. I think I've already alluded to that with strangers---never mind a friend. Debbie G has done this for me and long before I came here, and thanks Deb--Richard L has helped me a couple times and I've tossed back his way---If someone is writing in a form, especially if it's one you're familiar with---check it out and toss 'em a line if they need one and perhaps the next time someone will pay it forward to you or others. We don't help a friend by ignoring a mistake (to be simple) what we do is help them fail.

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A poem is a piece of one's heart and soul. It isn't just words someone typed up for fun...though, some do that. For me, poetry is my passion. I just had someone reduce one of my poems of six or seven stanzas to six or seven lines...What does that say to me? Obviously, I need not spell that out. Cultures DO differ. In some cultures, you NEVER point out mistakes. Having said that, I have pointed out a mistake on someone's poem in a comment when I should have emailed the person...The person said they would take it coming from me, but next time to soup mail would be better. Yes, I wish I had done that. I know who can take my comments, and others I'm not familiar with, I don't point out mistakes.

To be honest, I don't write any haiku anymore because I feel it will never be up to standard from things I've read. Having said that, I did go for Debbie Sijo contest, my first EVER Sijo, and for Craig's Terza Rima because I want to LEARN and GROW. So, after this terribly LONG write, what I'm trying to say is, you can take criticism from someone you know cares...do it tactfully, let the little things go...and love and respect each other...we all share the SAME PASSION! HUGS ALL AROUND!

Also, CONTENT...ah CONTENT...my personal advice? Don't mess with CONTENT...suggestions for FORM, SPELLING, GRAMMAR, Yes. CONTENT...SOUP MAIL...You suggest something about someone's judgement by pointing out content...that is TOO close to home. Obviously the poet/poetess has though before posting...If you love poetry enough to want to LEARN, you know who has the background and who to look for. But...if you are sensitive, it's hard not to get discouraged.

What do you think my mission is Christine and what is your perceived evaluation of whatever trend you are noticing because I am sure I have much to learn from your astute mind. Other than that it is intuitively obvious even to the most casual observer that my mission is to drive you crazy---and I have obviously accomplished that!

This is to respond to Christine below and her comment to Debbie---You Christine are the one who is narrow and ought to get out more--when you have reached one tenth what Debbie has accomplished and shared then you can earn the honor to drool on her doorstep but until that time which never will happen--I suppose you are entitled to try to get a life.

One more thing. This is the best time I have had real time sit down and read so many poems on this site. I really enjoyed them... some made me laugh and others made me cry. I have been out so much so this time I spend my vacation reading poems. Its my passion. I do not write if something is not burning inside. Every time I post something on this site... it is coming from the depth of my heart.

Who are you? what is your mission on this site? I have noticed a particular trend. I would like to have a face to face meeting with you. I am going to get to the bottom of this. As for the comments below I will let that go until we meet.

well, craig.. for me , the best way is to soupmail the person if one's suggestion or comment is sensitive... i hope we do not criricize openly and demand another poet to follow his/ her own style... yes, kashi is a fine example of good manners when it comes to queries... btw, your tie is on the floor, lol... nice blog!..:)

Love the blog, Craig, and yes, I too think it truly helps if someone catches an innocent mistake, without expecting you to change the whole gist of the poem. As Andrea mentioned, Kash has been one of my greatest "proof readers", catching my careless mistakes in order to help......but not to criticize...The secret is doing it in the kindest way, (as Charmaine just said)....with good intentions. It is a generous and unselfish thing to do for a fellow poet.But it takes the right approach. I am always grateful for such help.(PS...I was once so grateful to a lady in a check-out line for calling my attention to the jacket I was wearing inside-out! (I had been trying on clothes...was in a rush!)

Carrie, You are such an inspiration and I know you have some issues with some forms and meter and whatever but if I had you story telling gift and "down home" relate about life style and gift, I would trade my ability to write meter in a heartbeat

I'd like to say too that what one person will get offended by another may very well see as a favor, ANY review is a good review, any comment that doesn't literally tell you what your wrote is crap IS A GOOD COMMENT, the person actually took the time to leave one which is more than one in every 10 to 20 people do. And heck I don't have twice the time to comment in the comment and then go to soup mail

Thanks Debbie, and you know I have come back at you in defending my original write but I have to admit, no matter how adamant I have been in my own defense I always look carefully because I respect you so and never ever want you not to correct or comment with advice----no matter if I say screw off on occasion!!
I value the fact that you care enough and that you are sooo often correct!

also it is beyond ridiculous to have winners in the top three spots who don't even know the difference between rhyme and free verse, now free verse can have a rhyme for say emphasis or climax of the end line, but a whole poem of end rhyme [simple end rhyme like/bike/hike] not even half rhyme

Correct Isaiah, especially since the forms tag is often either wrong, ambiguous, incomplete or both. That's why I go on line to seek out multiple guidance that is not associated with a poetry site, but that being said, follow the contest rules because the host might want what they want no matter what so that trumps all else.-----back to cooking--thanks Isaiah

Thanks Christine, like I said, it's summer--I have to leave to play golf (pity me) in 30 min then go shopping for what I'm going to prepare for a BBQ tonight I'm hosting. I never comment publically unless it's a simple typo. If someone takes the time and effort to enter a contest with a serious entry I don't care if they're from Mars, if you see the mistake and don't subtly let them know YOU are the one that's 100% wrong. This only happens primarily with a form or a contest rule that would otherwise have made their poem a winner. If it's not for a contest let it go unless it's someone you know or both--Skat asked. Have a great day because I'm going to--see you tomorrow.

oh, I like how you said this: "that would otherwise have made the poem a winner" I try to point ouy this kind of small thing to people when it's close to being perfect. However, it's not too often I run across this kind of thing. Most writers who know what they are doing do not mess up too often. Kash is one guy who is really good in doing this and he saved me a few times in a contest.

Slot 4
You are a real American; therefore, I am going to be very direct and frank with you because you can stand the heat. I believe that you do spend time to read most of the poems on this site. You read and analyze the poet’s poems that you were assigned to…but you never commented on them. I have read quite a few poems on this site and I have not seen where you have commented on others poems. I think you should start reading everyone’s poem and you will learn to appreciate other peoples work more without commenting on the faults.

SLOT 3
I use to attend theatrical performance and every time I attend, I would point out the faults, of the actors, directors and script. I found out that this was robbing me of enjoying the performance. Everyone was cracking up with laughter in the theatre, and I was so serious wondering what everyone was laughing about. Then from there on I realize that I must learn to enjoy the little and funny things in life. On this forum most writers aren’t professional writers and they need a forum to express themselves. They are not looking to become publishers so I enjoy scrolling through many poems and I find great pleasure in reading them. I have learnt a lot from even reading badly written poem.

yes, I totally get this, Christine. I am an English teacher and If I were stopping all the time, as much as I comment, to correct mistakes, my time here would be boring as hell. Good what you said here!!!

SLOT 2
Learning about people and culture will take a life time but common sense is what everyone is born with. It is not what you say; it is how you say it. Some students could be CEOs/ and Directors today but because they had a bad teacher who criticize them, and never take time out to help them. It made them feel as if they are good for nothing.

Slot 1
Well what you have said is absolutely correct, but there is a time and place for everything. That's actually the American way of looking at things and doing things. I am sure that you are well traveled like me and you are cognizant that you can easily offend another culture by correcting their mistakes. Some people cannot handle it. You should find none offensive ways to communicate that same message to them. Like sending them a carefully personalize written email before broadcasting it for everyone to see.

This is very long; therefore, I will break it up in different slots.
Well you have said is true. However, there is a time and place for everything. That's actually the American way of looking at things and doing things. I am sure that you are well traveled like me and you are cognizant that you can easily offend another culture by correcting their mistakes. Some people cannot handle it. You should find none offensive ways to communicate that same message to them. Like sending them a carefully personalize written email before broadcasting it for everyone to see.

Craig, I agree with you. putting this blog up is a must. I tried a form for Giorgio's contest. I asked for help. Thanks to you and Nathan, I know the form is wrong. I have no time to correct my entry ATM. I will find my way tomorrow. I don't mind if poets correct my mistakes. in a positive way of course. Skat

Speaking of your tie story. Today at my anniversary dinner with hubbie, a host at the door made me quite startled when he said loudly in front of three other restaurant workers, "Hey, I have to tell you something" (that kind of worried me just the tone he was using) then he continued: "your tag is showing from the back of your shirt." good grief he had me thinking there was toilet paper trailing on my shoe or something. Just a little tag sticking out from my shirt. What I am saying is: use finesse.

we have to pick the right circumstances. I usually let my friends know in a soupmail when it involves a form that I know a lot about and also, I am not shy to point out typos, things like that. I've been rebuked very harshly by a few people for going any farther than that with critiques I think are important. For example, the use of antiquated words. If a poet is fond of using them, be very careful about letting them know that modern publishers do not like it. You might get your head taken off!!!